As part of ongoing programs, Loudoun County is offering mental health education and substance abuse prevention programs during the month of June. All programs are free. Registration is required and seats are limited. The classes available in June include Mental Health First Aid, Opioid Overdose Reversal, and Suicide Prevention Training.
Mental Health First Aid is a training program that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. There are two versions of the program: a general adult program and a program for adults who interact with youth. The Adult Mental Health First Aid Program will be held on June 9 and 10, and the Youth Mental Health First Aid Program will be held on June 15 and 16. For more details and to register, visit loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid.
Opioid Overdose Reversal is a training session of REVIVE!, the opioid overdose and naloxone education program for Virginia. Classes are scheduled for June 3, 6, 17, 24, and 27. For more details and to register, visit loudoun.gov/revive.
Suicide Prevention Training will teach attendees how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to refer someone for professional help. The class is scheduled for June 21. For more details and to register, visit loudoun.gov/suicidepreventiontraining.
In July 2021, the Virginia Department of Health reported that fatal drug overdose has been the leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013. Opioids have been the driving force behind this trend. According to the National Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in people age 10-24 in Virginia. The WHO reports that training on naloxone use could substantially reduce deaths from opioid overdoses. The WHO also reports that having the tools to identify those at risk for suicide is one of the best ways to prevent deaths by suicide.
For more information on the services offered by the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, visit loudoun.gov/mhsadsprevention.
Feature image, LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/stock.adobe.com
For more stories like this, subscribe to our News newsletter.
